Guinea authorities used excessive force: group

CONAKRY, Guinea 
An international rights group says Guinea's security forces used excessive force and did not show neutrality in responding to postelection violence in the capital earlier this month.

Human Rights Watch said Monday at least 7 people died and over 200 were wounded in the mid-November clashes. They say security forces targeted members of the Peul ethnic group. The Peul had supported the losing candidate, fellow Peul Cellou Dalein Diallo. The mostly Malinke security forces belong to the ethnicity of the race's declared winner, Alpha Conde.

The New York-based group called on Conde to protect rights and seek justice.

The Nov. 7 poll is considered to be the nation's first democratic vote following 52 years of dictatorship but was clouded by ethnic tensions.